Spain's Infrastructure and Digital Transformation

The road network uses only a tenth of its roads.

Transport and Communications System in Spain

The system of transport and telecommunications are two basic elements to boost the economy and promote regional balance. In recent decades, public investment in transport infrastructure has become a priority for the state, alongside the emergence of new telecommunications companies.

Infrastructure and Transport Features

Main features of our transportation system include:

• Adaptation to Physical and Socioeconomic Conditions

  There is a close relationship between physical characteristics, social and economic planning, and the provision of transport infrastructure. The network of roads and railways has had to adapt to the high average altitude of the Iberian Peninsula and the presence of peripheral mountain ranges. The spatial location of the population explains the distribution of economic activities and road/railway lines.

• Radial Disposition of Transport Infrastructure

  Terrestrial communication networks are organized radially to connect the interior of the peninsula with the rest of the country. However, there are problems for terrestrial communications in mountain areas and the western peninsula.

• Prevalence of Road Transport

  Road transport prevails for both passenger travel and freight. In recent decades, priority has been given to the modernization of the Spanish road network and the replacement of older roads with expressways and highway construction, leading to the development of high-capacity roads.

• Concentration of Traffic on Specific Routes

  Traffic is highly concentrated on specific sections or routes. Two-thirds of total traffic...

Spain's Infrastructure Plan (2000-2007)

With the infrastructure plan from 2000-2007, the aim was to solve existing problems. Key goals included:

• First Goal: To complete the network of high-capacity routes.
• Second Goal: To increase the participation of global demand in rail transport, through the modernization of passenger services and regional long-distance services, and the reduction of current travel times. This construction is based on large rail corridors for high-speed trains. The ultimate goal is the integration of the rail network into the Trans-Hispaniola network.
• Third Goal: Expanding airports and improving Spanish ports.

Information Flows and the Digital Society

In recent times, the audiovisual and telecommunications sectors have experienced profound changes. This has had a decisive impact on the emergence of the so-called information society. Fundamental factors contributing to this include:

• The use of digital signals, which enables efficient transmission of information and allows the use of different media to provide access to all sorts of applications.
• The standardization of new applications, ensuring ease of use for users.